Fall Spring 2018 Welcome to the Eagle Ridge Orchestra!

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1 Fall Spring 2018 Welcome to the Eagle Ridge Orchestra! Erin Stavropulos, Orchestra Director Jasmeen Pantleay, Orchestra Director We would like to welcome all students back to school for the school year! This handbook provides you with all details surrounding the Eagle Ridge Orchestra program. Parents, please take the time to sit down with your child to familiarize yourselves with the handbook. Once you have reviewed the handbook, please fill out and sign the orchestra contract with your child stating that both of you understand the ERMS Orchestra policies and procedures. Supply List Items: Instrument in good working condition Rental suggestions are Day Violins, Music and Arts, or The Music Loft. *Do not purchase from Amazon, Ebay, etc.* String Basics Book 1 - method book (6th and 7th grade) Strings Basics Book 2 - method (8th grade) Rosin (purchase at music store) Shoulder Rest ( violin/viola only - Kun or similar brand; purchase at music store) Rock stop ( cello only - purchase at music store) Clip-on tuner (brand Snark or similar style; purchase on Sharmusic.com, Amazon.com, or other music store) Music stand (for home practice) a folding wire stand is perfectly good (can find online at Sharmusic.com or in a music store) Regular AND colored pencils, binder, and loose leaf paper Grading As Orchestra is a Performing Arts class, grades will weigh more heavily on performance-based assignments. The following is a breakdown of percentages for grades, and typical assignments seen: Summative Grades: 90% Tests/Quizzes/Spot Checks (both written and performance) Concerts and After School Rehearsals PBIS Quarterly Check: 100-pt quarterly grade aligning with the school-wide PBIS policy Students are awarded 100 points at the beginning of each quarter. 5 points are deducted when behaviors not aligning with the school-wide Big 3 are demonstrated (Respect, Responsibility, Readiness) Formative Grades: 10% Worksheets/Classwork Progress checks (taken from assessment of daily classroom

2 performance) Phoenix, Website, and Calendar My website is accessible via ERMS main page. You will find important information such as concert music recordings and other supplemental information. Phoenix is our grading program that is updated on a regular basis. Please make sure to check this on a regular basis. In addition, communication is sent out through here so it is imperative that your address is accurately listed or you will not receive updated communications. Google Classroom is used for all announcements and assignments. Google calendars will be used throughout the school. Students will all have access to these and will be able to view upcoming rehearsal/concert information, as well as important homework assignments and upcoming tests on the calendar. Expectations High expectations for each student are set in the orchestra classroom. Please thoroughly review the expectations on the orchestra contract before signing. Your grade will reflect the amount of practice and hard work you put in. Parent contact will be made by or phone when deemed necessary. The teacher will use her own discretion to determine if a behavior needs the Dean s immediate attention. School Instruments Cello and Bass Only A $25 school cello usage fee, as well as a $100 optional school-year rental fee for basses will be collected from students at the beginning of the year. Contracts outlining the purpose of this fee will be sent home the first week of classes. Fingernail Length: In order to successfully perform on your instrument, your fingernails may not interfere with properly holding your instrument. If the teacher believes the fingernails need to be cut, students will be notified. If this is not done in a timely manner, parent contact will be made. Audition Opportunities **If you are interested in auditioning, please let me know when these festivals are discussed in class. Serious preparation is required, so don t procrastinate! I HIGHLY encourage qualified students to audition** 1) Junior Regional Orchestra Festival (only 7th and 8th grade eligible) the orchestra, chosen by audition, is made up of advanced musicians across Loudoun County, Prince William County, and many other counties throughout the Northern VA vicinity. If accepted, students will participate in a 2-day festival where students will practice as an ensemble with a guest conductor for the two days and have a culminating performance on the last day. 2) All County Orchestra Festival similar to Junior Regional Orchestra Festival, except this orchestra is made up of Loudoun County s advanced string

3 students. Important Orchestra Dates **Please note there are both rehearsals and concerts listed below** If you are in 6 th or 7 th grade, try to make it out to see the older grade level orchestra performances to see what more practice and experience can look (and sound!) like. 8 th GRADE October 6, 2017 Junior Regional Orchestra Set-Up, ERMS (volunteers needed to assist) October 7, 2017 Junior Regional Orchestra ERMS (volunteers needed to assist) October 19 Rehearsal, 3:30-4:20 p.m. October 24 Fall/Halloween BWHS November Junior Regional Orchestra Colgan HS (only for accepted students) December 13 Rehearsal, 3:30-4:20 p.m. December 14 - Dulles Airport Holiday Performance, 10-11am January 20 All County Orchestra Mercer MS (for those interested) February 26- Rehearsal, 3:30-4:20 p.m. (Gold group only) February 27- Rehearsal, 3:30-4:20 p.m. (Green group only) March 2 or 3 Loudoun County Orchestra Assessment, (this is a mandatory event and is part of our Standards of Learning plan ahead of time!! Transportation will be provided. Our assigned day/time will be announced as we get closer. Do NOT make plans on the Saturday as we may get assigned a time then. It will not take the whole day, but we do not know the time schedule yet. Tell your coaches if you have a sporting event and I can provide you with an excuse letter if needed!) March All County Orchestra Dominion HS (only for accepted students) April 20- Solo and Ensemble Set-Up, ERMS (volunteers needed) April 21 - Solo and Ensemble Festival, all ERMS (only for those participating) May 21 Rehearsal, 3:30-5:00 p.m. (Green) May 23- Rehearsal, 3:30-5:00 p.m. (Gold) May 30-8th Grade Orchestra Concert, 6 ERMS

4 June 1 Hershey Park Festival Trip, TBA 7 th GRADE October 7, 2017 Junior Regional Orchestra ERMS (volunteers needed to assist) November Junior Regional Orchestra Colgan HS (only for accepted students) November 30- Rehearsal, 3:30-4:20 p.m. December 7- Rehearsal, 3:30-4:20 p.m. December 14-6th and 7th Grade Winter Concert, 6 ERMS January 20 All County Orchestra Mercer MS (for those interested) March All County Orchestra Dominion HS (only for accepted students) April 20- Solo and Ensemble Set-Up, ERMS (volunteers needed) April 21 - Solo and Ensemble Festival, all ERMS (only for those participating) May 9- Rehearsal, 3:30-4:20 p.m May 16- Rehearsal, 3:30-4:20 p.m. May 17-6th and 7th Orchestra Concert, 6 ERMS 6 th GRADE December 12- Rehearsal, 3:30-4:20 p.m. December 14-6th and 7th Grade Winter Concert, 6 ERMS January 20 All County Orchestra Mercer MS (for those interested) March All County Orchestra Dominion HS (only for accepted students) April 21 - Solo and Ensemble Festival, all ERMS (only for those participating) May 10- Rehearsal, 3:30-4:20 p.m. May 17-6th and 7th Orchestra Concert, 6 ERMS

5 Concert Procedures All LCPS ensembles are performing groups, meaning that performance is a major component of the course. Rehearsal and concert attendance is mandatory and graded. Rehearsal and concert dates are provided in advance to ensure parents have enough time to fit these dates into their schedules. Concert/Rehearsal Absentee Policy In case of illness or emergency, your teacher must be contacted before the performance or rehearsal. If you will be out of town due to a family commitment, you must provide your teacher two weeks written notice (via or note). These will result in an EXCUSED absence. If you miss a rehearsal or concert without giving prior notice or a reason deemed excusable, this will result in an UNEXCUSED absence. The highest grade you will receive is a 50% for this rehearsal or concert. Concert/Rehearsal Make-up Policy For missing a rehearsal the student must follow up with the teacher after the missed rehearsal to go over the material covered to ensure the student is prepared for the concert performance. For missing a concert an alternate, graded assignment will be given. Please seek out your teacher to set this up if necessary. Please note appropriate concert attire is required. The director has full authority to request an attire change if the director does not feel your attire is deemed as appropriate for the event. Listed below are the mandatory attire requirements for each performance: 8 th grade attire: Men Women -ERMS music polo or black dress shirt - ERMS music polo shirt or black dress - Black dress pants (no jeans) top (no tank tops) - Black socks - Black dress pants or skirt (knee length) - Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes) - Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes) 6 th and 7 th grade attire : Men Women -White collared dress shirt - White dress shirt/top (no tank tops) -Black dress pants (no jeans) - Black dress pants or skirt (knee length) - Black socks - Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes) - Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes) Synopsis Please put all of this information in a safe place where you can use it for reference any time. Performance dates should be placed on all personal calendars at home. Parents/guardians - please check periodically with your students to find out if there have been any updates or changes to the calendar. Let s have a great year!!

6 Eagle Ridge Orchestra Handbook/Syllabus Signature Page This page is due by Friday, September 1 for a homework grade. I HAVE READ THE ERMS ORCHESTRA HANDBOOK/SYLLABUS AND AM AWARE OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES. IF I FAIL TO FOLLOW ANY OF THE ITEMS LISTED ABOVE, THE TEACHER WILL FOLLOW SCHOOL PROTOCOL FOR ANY AND ALL GRADING AND/OR PARENTAL CONTACT AS SHE DEEMS NECESSARY. BY SIGNING BELOW, I, PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF, GIVE PERMISSION FOR MY STUDENT TO ATTEND ALL AFTER SCHOOL REHEARSALS AT ERMS. IT IS MY FULL RESPONSIBILITY TO PICK UP MY CHILD NO MORE THAN TEN (10) MINUTES PAST REHEARSAL ENDING TIME. ANY TIME AFTER WILL RESULT IN PARENT CONTACT AND POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT OF ERMS ADMINISTRATION. Please note that all rehearsals and concerts are mandatory, graded experiences that are an extension of the orchestra classroom. Failure to adhere to rehearsal and concert procedures listed above may result in a lower grade. Student Printed Name Student Signature Parent Printed Name Parent Signature Date Signed